The “University” is under pressure to address both local and general requirements from society towards a phenomenon called globalisation. In Brazil, the Ministry of Education has tried, without success, to promote institutional change. Confronted by this situation a process initiated by an internal change agent and based upon the introduction of Action Research was itself the subject of this AR Study by the change agent. This thesis draws upon the findings of that AR and uses it to critically examine the potential to foster change within the higher education context in Brazil using AR. The research was designed in two synchronous processes taking place at two different levels. The first is the facilitation of the uptake of Action Research by a group of academic staff, and the second is the research into that process as a piece of Action Research in its own right by the change agent/facilitator. Facilitation of change has been described as taking place in three phases: a) Mobilization; b) Implementation; and c) Continuation. Throughout such phases in this case data were systematically gathered by the use of five instruments of data collection: 1) Observation; 2) Diary; 3) Questionnaires; 4) Interviews; and 5) Sociogram. Results show my personal learning in facilitating this process of change and two main contributions to knowledge. The first is one which, though local and specific, may nevertheless speak to the challenges faced by other practitioners. Exemplified in this study by the critical exploration of the ‘Daisy Model’ of introducing AR that led to its modification into the ‘Flower Model’. The second is that new knowledge which appears to be more generalisable and for which a case can be made for its wider applicability. Again exemplified in the continuous and disruptive process of change that unfolded to reveal a suitable framework for the use of Action Research as a vehicle of change in a rural university in Brazil where all actions were based on four central principles that emerged from the research: neutrality, voluntary participation, time and motivation. The future success and sustainability of the change processes begun are contingent upon the reaction of the current management of the institution. Five scenarios are examined and a second phase for this AR project is suggested that attempts to address the issues raised.

This study was designed to address teachers' difficulties implementing Response-to-Intervention (RtI) program strategies at a low-performing school in south Texas in response to students failing to meet statewide assessment standards in reading. This exploratory case study investigated the perceptions of Grades 3 and 4 teachers to assist in understanding a pathway to increase higher fidelity of RtI implementation and improve student academic performance. Knowles' theory of andragogy and Lewin's change theory provided the framework for the study. The study included interview data from 6 purposefully selected Grades 3 and 4 teachers supplemented by document reviews of professional development (PD) presentations and RtI implementation policies. All data were analyzed using comparative and inductive analysis and coded into 7 emergent themes. The findings included the need for administrative supervision, a lack of RtI fidelity of implementation, and a need for PD focusing on interventions and organizational tools. The project, which was developed based on the findings and literature review, includes opportunities for learning and participating in campus RtI planning to gain support for the program, attending district-approved PD sessions to assist teachers' techniques to improve student performance in reading, and training in specific RtI progress monitor reporting to document use of the various interventions for individuals in the classroom. By ensuring that students receive RtI instruction that is designed to meet their individual academic needs, the project may help the school district decrease referrals to special education and improve students' reading abilities.

Academic coaching has demonstrated positive relationships with college students' academic engagement and performance. A university campus in Puerto Rico implemented academic coaching for at-risk students, but the program has not been studied for its impact on student engagement. Guided by self-regulation theory and constructivism, this quasi-experimental study examined differences in engagement and identification of best teaching behaviors between students who experienced academic coaching (n = 115) and those who did not (n = 55). Students completed the Classroom Survey of Student Engagement (CLASSE) before and after the 4-week instructional unit and the Instructor Behavior Checklist (IBC) after the instructional unit. The data from the CLASSE and IBC were analyzed using mixed analysis of variance for engagement activities and student identification of effective teaching practices. There were no significant findings relating academic coaching to engagement; however, the experimental group identified significantly more best teaching practices used by their instructor. A Pearson correlation also yielded a significant positive relationship between students' engagement and the identification of instructor best practices. Based on these findings, a professional development program was created for instructors, which fosters student engagement and learning by encouraging instructor best practices through a classroom coaching model. The findings from this study may promote positive social change by helping to prepare faculty to integrate academic coaching and best teaching practices related to student engagement.

The students and teachers who provided data for this study were participants in school dropout prevention programs in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. The research was initiated to identify the strategies used by those teachers who are viewed to be effective in their work with students in at-risk situations. The study evolved as an interpretative account of the teachers' reflections. The multiple roles of the researcher in the pursuit of action research were explored, and the reciprocal interaction of the researcher with the research was recognized. The processes used to formulate and examine themes in the teachers' stories were given detailed explanations. These approaches were compared with the methodologies reported in the literature on qualitative research. In addition to using the techniques of grounded theorizing, biographical readings were undertaken to present a holistic perspective of the stories given by individual teachers. An emphasis on the teachers' stories precluded extensive examination of the students' accounts, but illustrations were provided of the students' statements corroborating the teachers' reflections. As well as references to the substantive literature on students in at-risk situations, the data were considered in respect to psychological, sociological, anthropological and philosophical theories. The theories that developed from this study were presented in relation to formal theories. The noted implications included actual classroom applications as well as suggestions for teacher preservice and inservice training and proposals for future research.

This study uses an action research methodology to create, implement, evaluate, and improve a professional development workshop for early childhood educators. The purpose of the workshop was to provide training in art education for practicing teachers in a childcare center. The workshop was intended to enable teachers to lead art discussions in the early childhood classroom derived from museum education teaching strategies. As a museum educator and early childhood teacher, the researcher was compelled to develop the workshop based on her experience in the field. Realizing that professional development opportunities in art education topics other than art making are not readily available to educators, the researcher used the existing, state mandated annual training requirement to address this void in early childhood teacher education. The learning potential within art discussions is addressed to make a case for the inclusion of these teaching strategies in early childhood classrooms. The findings of this study identify successful elements of professional development workshops for early childhood educators and make suggestions for other teacher-educators designing and leading such workshops. / text

The North Carolina Public Schools, like other schools in the southeast, have experienced phenomenal growth in their ELL student populations in the last 15 years. This fairly recent influx of ELL students raises questions about the extent to which the schools, and more specifically, the teachers, are prepared to meet the needs of their linguistically diverse students. Unfortunately, few studies to date have investigated how teacher education programs (TEPs) and professional development opportunities are addressing this aspect of teacher preparation. This dissertation addresses the lack of current research as it pertains to both TEPs and professional development experiences of middle school working in the North Carolina Public Schools. Using a mixed methods design that combined survey research with open-ended interviews of focal participants, the author revealed that teachers had had limited preparation experiences at both the TEP and professional development levels. However, those who had had these experiences overall did exhibit some capacity to adapt instruction and relate to their ELLs in positive ways. The preparation, however, also lacked sociolinguistic awareness and awareness about the theoretical foundations that underlie these practices. The author concluded by relating the findings to the current research and discussed recommendations and implications for TEPs and professional development in North Carolina and the southern context.

Web-based connectivity technologies have changed the very nature of learning and inquiry. Technology-integrated 21st century classrooms require that teachers adopt new roles, shifting toward critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication. This study examined teachers' opinions regarding integration of web based teaching tools into K-5 classrooms. Data were gathered through teacher interviews, collecting examples of websites used by teachers, recognizing common themes in successful technology integration, identifying benefits of technology integration for students, and clarifying professional development that teachers considered most beneficial. The sample was drawn from a Tucson, Arizona elementary school. Teachers' comments reflected a culture of strong support for technology integration with 21st century learning goals, and the need for more effective tools designed to help them search for and integrate web-based resources and share their successes or challenges with other teachers through digital learning communities or collaborative online professional development platforms.

本研究旨在瞭解高級中學教師工作價值觀與教師專業發展之指標、內涵與現況，探討其關係，進而建構預測分析的模式，再依研究結果提出建議。 首先進行文獻探討，作為架構研究的理論基礎，並建構調查問卷的內容，接著在北區八縣市(基隆市、臺北市、台北縣、桃園縣、新竹市、新竹縣、宜蘭縣及花蓮縣)發出調查問卷500份以分析現況。最後，依據研究結果進行討論與結論建議。研究主要發現如下： 一、高級中學教師工作價值觀與教師專業發展的指標、內涵與現況 (一)教師工作價值觀包括自我實現、自我肯定、自我創新及自我成長四個向度，其整體、分向度得分均為中高程度，其中以自我成長的得分最高。 (二)教師專業發展包括專業精神、專業能力和專業知識三個向度，其整體、分向度的得分，除專業精神分向度為高程度外，其餘皆為中高程度。 二、不同背景變項在教師工作價值觀與教師專業發展之差異情形 (一)不同背景變項在教師工作價值觀的得分方面：研究發現在性別、年齡、服務年資、現任職務等方面有顯著差異，但在最高學歷、學校規模、學校類型上則無顯著差異。 (二)不同背景變項在教師專業發展的得分方面：研究發現在年齡、服務年資等方面有顯著差異，但在性別、現任職務、最高學歷、學校規模、學校類型上則無顯著差異。 三、教師工作價值觀與教師專業發展的相關情形 整體教師工作價值觀與整體教師專業發展間呈現中度正相關，教師專業發展各分向度中，以專業精神與教師工作價值觀的相關程度最高。 四、教師工作價值觀各向度對教師專業發展的預測情形 教師工作價值觀之自我實現、自我創新及自我成長三向度對整體教師專業發展的聯合預測力最佳。 / The main purpose of this study was to investigate work values and professional development of high school teachers.The study included literature analysis and survey method with a questionnaire.The purpose of literature was aimed to explore teachers’ work values and teacher professional development.Questionnaire of survey based on researches about work values or teacher professional development. The subjects of the questionnaire included teachers of high school in Keelung City,Taipei City,Taipei County,Taoyuan County,Hsinchu City,Hsinchu County,Yilan County,Hualien County. Data were analyzed 363 sampling subjects by description statistics,t-test, correlation,ANOVA and multiple regression.Some results as follows: A.In the aspect of teachers’ work values: 1. Teachers’ work values included four parts (1)self-realization,(2)self-affirmation, (3)self-innovation,(4)self-growth.The perception of teachers were above average agreement of the four parts.The best dimension is self-growth. 2.Gender,age,years of service and currant position have significant influences on teachers’ work values.But the highest educational degree,school size and school type do not have any significant influences. B. In the aspect of teacher professional development: 1.The tescher professional development included three parts (1)professional spirit,(2) professional ability,(3) professional knowledge. The perception of teachers were above average agreement of the three parts.The best dimension is professional spirit. 2. Age and years of service have significant influences on tescher professional development.But gender,currant position ,the highest educational degree,school size and school type do not have any significant influences. C. In the aspect of relationship among teacher’ work values and professional development: 1.There are positive correlation and regression existed among teacher’ work values and professional development. 2. Teacher’ work values can promote teacher professional development. Finally,the researcher proposes some suggessions for the educational authorities, principal and teachers of high school and future researchers.Hope to benefit the further study in the future.

Detta arbete består av en undersökning om några professionella musikers (violinister) syn på förberedelser inför en provspelning. Detta inkluderar tankar och strategier de använt för att förbereda sig på bästa sätt för att möta de utmaningar musiker ställs inför vid en provspelning, samt vilka råd de anser viktiga att förmedla till andra om innehållet i dessa förberedelser. Undersökningen gjordes genom kvalitativa intervjuer med fyra musiker ur Göteborgs Symfoniker.Följande viktiga resultat framkom i undersökningen. Ingen av informanterna hade fått någon utbildning i hur de kunde förbereda sig för en provspelning men samtliga hade värdefulla erfarenheter och råd om hur goda förberedelser bör göras. Musikernas råd och strategier kan hänföras till en eller flera av följande fyra kategorier; färdigheten på instrumentet, färdigheten att framträda, träning inför den specifika situationen samt mental inställning. De olika kategorierna betonades på olika sätt av samtliga informanter och de gav ett flertal råd inom varje kategori. / This essay contains an investigation on some professional musicians' (violinists) views on how to prepare for an audition. It includes thoughts and strategies they've used to best prepare themselves to embrace the challenges musicians face at an audition, and what advice they consider important to communicate to others in their preparations. My research was conducted through qualitative interviews with four musicians from the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra.These were the more important results of the investigation. None of the musicians had been taught how to prepare for an audition, but they all had valuable experience and advice on how to prepare as well as possible. The musicians' advice and strategies can be put into one or more of the following four categories: instrumental skills, performance skills, preparation for the specific situation and mental attitude. Each category was emphasized through a variety of ways by the informants, and they also provided advice applicable within each category.

If the goal of teaching introductory physics is to help every student have successful learning experiences, then we need to answer at least two key questions to achieve this goal. First, what instructional strategies will promote equitable success for students? And second, how can we prepare instructors to use these teaching strategies effectively? Prior research demonstrates a persistent gender gap in introductory physics; however, we find that physics identity mediates the impact of gender on both conceptual understanding and retention in physics programs. Therefore, we apply Wenger's framework of identity development in communities of practice to hypothesize that collaborative, community-building instructional strategies can promote equity by enabling women's identification with physics. Through meta-analysis of results from 26 courses, we find trends in three different models of equity that support this hypothesis. To address our second question, we apply a similar community-based model to TA professional development. We find that teaching communities of practice can yield statistically significant improvements in TAs' identification as physics educators and make qualitative changes to TAs' teaching approaches. / Thesis (Master, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-23 13:18:26.328